Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $455
Standard/Professional
$150
$501+
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Budget
Standard
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Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 23, 2026.
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Description
Introducing the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum, a timeless classic that continues to leave its mark on the music world. Originally launched as a student drum in 1963, this snare swiftly gained favor amongst professional musicians for its dry, cracking snare tone.
Constructed in Monroe, North Carolina, USA, Ludwig has meticulously recreated the Acrolite in its original glory, complete with a seamless, beaded, brushed-aluminum shell that exudes a vintage charm. Not just a pretty face, this snare drum is known for its incredibly sensitive response and ability to produce a round, full tone across all dynamic ranges.
The Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum is adorned with chrome Classic dual snare lugs and the iconic Blue/Olive Badge, further enhancing its visual appeal. Its Supra Sonic Snare throw off strainer system sets it apart, allowing for precise tuning and optimal performance.
Key Features:
- Seamless, beaded, brushed-aluminum shell for enhanced durability and resonance
- Supra Sonic Snare throw off strainer system for precise tuning capabilities
- Chrome Classic dual snare lugs for a classic, polished look
- Blue/Olive Badge, a symbol of Ludwig's renowned quality and craftsmanship
- 8 tuning lugs for optimal tension and tone control
- Incredibly sensitive response, delivering a full tone in all dynamic ranges
- Rods and hoops in chrome finish for added durability and aesthetic appeal
Product specs
| Brand | Ludwig |
| Model | No. 404 Acrolite 5x14" 8-Lug Aluminum Snare Drum with Pointed Blue/Olive Badge |
| Finish | Matte Aluminum |
| Year | 1969 - 1979 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Snare Drums |
FAQs
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What are the standout features of the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum?
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The Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum features a seamless, beaded, brushed-aluminum shell, known for its dry, cracking tone. Its lightweight design and 8-lug configuration make it a versatile choice for various music styles.
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Is the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum is well-suited for live performances due to its crisp attack and projection. Its dry tone cuts through the mix, making it a favorite among drummers for both studio and stage use.
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How does the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum compare to other Ludwig models?
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The Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum is often compared to the Supraphonic model, with the Acrolite offering a drier sound due to its aluminum shell. It's a more affordable option while still delivering professional-grade performance.
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What type of music is the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum best suited for?
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The Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum is versatile enough for a wide range of genres, but it particularly excels in rock, pop, and jazz. Its dry, articulate tone makes it ideal for styles that require clear snare definition.
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Does the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum require special maintenance?
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The Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum requires standard maintenance, such as regular tuning and occasional cleaning of the aluminum shell to maintain its appearance and sound quality. Its durable construction ensures longevity with proper care.
Videos
2112 PERCUSSION
Classic Ludwig 5x14 Metal Snare Shootout: Supraphonic vs. Acrolite vs. Black Beauty
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum.
Build quality
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Standoffs on lugs can become brittle and crack over time; replacement lugs cost about $10 each.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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The P88 throw-off is recommended as a reliable upgrade for the original throw-off, which is known to be unreliable.
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Comparisons
Value and pricing
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Acrolites from the late 70s and 80s typically sell for $150-200 due to their commonality, not the $500 some listings suggest.
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Craigslist listings often feature 1970s Acrolites at significantly lower prices, sometimes as low as $60, suggesting a potential for better deals than traditional marketplaces.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings
135
Ludwig knows drums
This aluminum shell drum can take a beating and keep on delivering. Time-tested, pro level quality. This drum is dry and crisp but still delivers in tone and resonance. Extremely responsive at all volumes. This snare provides the fundamental framework for further experimentation with dampening and adding percussion.
Artist usage
Add artist
In this YouTube video at 2:44, George Daniel can be seen playing a Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum with a Snareweight M80 Black Tone Control Dampener.
During the BFIAFL watch party on twitter, Daniel also stated in a tweet that Ludwig Acrolite snares were used on the record.
Rival Consoles uses a Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum, as mentioned in an interview with Stampthewax. The snare was played with brushes on the track "Persona," and is visible in the accompanying photograph from the article.
In this youtube video, playing with the Black Keys, at 0:40 we can see Patrick uses a Ludwig Acrolite 5 x 14 snare.
It can be seen from another angle to confirm the height of the snare model at 3:17.
Used for some of Only by the Night, particularly on "Use Somebody", as stated by Only by the Night producer Jacquire King in this July 31, 2019 interview with producer Warren Huart at 1:24:07.
This is my Gretsch drum kit, it's a 1959 Round Badge. This is the drum kit that was used on "Use Somebody". We used bunch of different drum kits, but we started with mine. (...) It just happened that this is the drum kit that we started with and we started with that song and so, we ended up using that and then also, this Acrolyte snare drum was used on several songs, but (...) this is also the snare that was used on "Use Somebody".
Cavs uses the Ludwig Acrolite for live shows and in studio. In the King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard the making of their LP "Flying Microtonal Banana" (Peeling The Flying Microtonal Banana) Cavanagh is seen showing of his drum set. The Acrolite is visible at 2:39.
“On a lot of the tracks on the album,” she explains, “we made the snare and kick sounds a little grittier and more electronic, so I’ll just fatten up the snare on certain songs live, like ‘New Song’ from Heads Up and ‘Disco/Very’ from the last record, just put a LinnDrum snare on it. I use an Acrolite snare, which is exactly the snare I want to use forever until the end of time, but they never really made a deep model. So I guess I’m compensating a little for that, but also the familiarity of that tone. Also, even though there’s four of us on stage, we’re sort of a three-piece, and we’ve got to kind of fill in sonically—a little more decay on certain things.”
In an article by Nicolas Grizzle for DRUM! Magazine, David Lovering is noted for using a Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 snare drum during his work with the Pixies.
In this YouTube post Tom Skinner can be seen playing a Ludwig Acrolite Snare Drum
Is there a piece of drum kit that you couldn’t live without?
“It’s that Ludwig Acrolite snare that I mentioned earlier. It’s a 1969 drum, it’s my dad’s drum. I only use it in the studio. That drum is just magic. It has crack with a little bit of body.”
Mentioned by Lynch in this May 2008 Modern Drummer Magazine interview.
"This is one of my vintage Tama kits, circa the late 1970s," Stan Lynch says. "It was used on almost every Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers session I did, as well as on recordings by Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Don Henley, John Mellencamp, Aretha Franklin, The Eurythmics, Brian Wilson, Roger McGuinn, Stevie Nicks, Del Shannon, T-Bone Burnett, The Byrds, Belinda Carlisle, Freedy Johnston, and many others.
"It features a 14x24 kick, 8x12 and 9x13 rack toms, and a 16x16 floor tom. As for the snare drums, at that time I used a 6½x14 Ludwig Black Beauty, 5x14 and 6½x14 Ludwig Supraphonics, and a 5x14 Ludwig Acrolite. Not shown, but included with this kit, were 6x6, 8x8, and 10x14 tom-toms.
"Besides the drums, I have always used Zildjian cymbals, Pro-Mark drumsticks, Remo heads, and DW pedals."
Album Usage
The Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum has been featured on the following albums:
Voices of Bishara Live at "mu"
Tom Skinner (2024)
Being Funny In A Foreign Language
The 1975 (2022)
Black To The Future
Sons of Kemet (2021)
Beneath the Eyrie (Deluxe)
Pixies (2020)
Undone: Live at the Crypt
Tom Skinner & Dave Okumu & Tom Herbert & Tom Herbert (2019)
Persona
Rival Consoles (2018)
Heads Up
Warpaint (2016)
Keep It Healthy / Disco//very (Remixes)
Warpaint (2014)
Use Somebody
Kings of Leon (2009)
Only By The Night
Kings of Leon (2008)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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